title: Effects of respiratory gases on the frequency and duration of obstructive apneic episodes in a patient with the sleep apnea-hypersomnolence syndrome.
abstract: We studied the effects of hyperoxia and hypercapnia on obstructive apneic episodes (OAE) in a 39-year-old male with the sleep apnea and hypersomnolence syndrome (SAHS). While inspiring room air, our patient spent approximately 50% of his non-REM sleep time in OAE. When the inspired gas was changed to 100% oxygen, the frequency of the OAE decreased slightly, but a statistically significant increase in the duration of each episode was noted. Additionally, a CO2 rebreathe under hyperoxic conditions was carried out during non-REM sleep; no OAE were noted during this rebreathe. Therefore, this latter observation suggests that hypercapnia under hyperoxic conditions may reduce the frequency of OAE in patients with the SAHS.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012119:Respiration; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen